Windward Secrets (17 page)

Walking toward the restaurant Claire’s attention was caught by seagulls circling the building.
They’re everywhere
, she thought to herself. Then she noticed security cameras at each corner of the restaurant under the eaves.

Jill and Caroline were seated at a table by the window and already had a bottle of wine chilling in a floor stand and menus in front of their faces.

“Who was your friend,” Caroline asked.

“A lovely Scot who took a shine to Claire,” Diane answered.

Claire stared at Diane astonished. “For heaven’s sake Diane, what are you talking about?”

“You were so interested in his boat that you didn’t notice how interested he was in you.”

“Oh, please, he just likes talking about his boat.”

Caroline peeked over her menu. “She’s the athletic type. He probably thought she looked like a sailor.”

Grabbing a menu Claire laughed. “You’re crazy, he was just being polite.”

When the server came to take their orders Claire surprised the group by asking, “Why are there security cameras mounted on the restaurant?”

The waitress looked at Claire hesitantly. “Not many people notice them. There was some vandalism a few years ago so the cameras were installed. They’re dusk to dawn. Any movement on the dock and they start recording. Cheaper than paying a night watchman.” Glancing at the others, the server recited the specials and took their orders.

Claire leaned back in her chair and stared out the window slowly sipping her chardonnay.

“She’s off and running again,” Caroline said, looking at Claire. “What is it this time?”

“How would one go about getting the film from security cameras?”

Jill placed her cool glass against her forehead. “She’s going to get us killed. We may as well just jump off the end of a dock and get it over with.”

“Where are you going with this Claire?” Diane asked.

Claire slowly turned her focus back to her friends. “If the cameras caught Wendell taking a boat out on the dates the girls disappeared that would be the link we need.”

“Well Claire, I don’t know much about the law, but I do know if you steal those tapes you will land in jail,” Diane said, showing her impatience.

Claire breezed past the remark. “Speaking of jail, how would a small town cop afford a boat like Swift Runner even with partners?”

“Very rich partners,” Caroline said. “There are tons of rich people who buy toys like that.”

“You just don’t like Peterson,” Diane said.

Jill, thinking of Drew, set down her glass and leaned across the table toward Claire. “Actually, Claire, you don’t like anyone this trip. I’m sure you’ll find something wrong with that innocent Scot you met on the dock. I hope he sails away quickly before you go after him.”

Dinner passed uneventfully and the foursome delayed leaving their table as long as possible. Wendell never appeared; however, Deputy O’Reilly did.

Claire nudged Caroline. “Look there. It’s O’Reilly.”

As they watched he made a cursory inspection of the dock area and disappeared around the side of the restaurant.

On the way to the parking lot, Diane noticed Angus Querry leaning against one of the light posts, arms crossed over his chest, watching them. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she picked up the pace to the car.

***

Back at the house Jill, Caroline, and Diane went straight to their rooms. Claire took the backpack to the kitchen table and pulled out the files. Reading each file, she made a list of the dates of the abductions over the last three years.

Yawning, she reviewed the list and said to herself, ‘that should cover the time since the security cameras were installed at the marina. Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get a look at those tapes.’

While she was reviewing her notes, Ike laid his head down on her lap and she stroked his head affectionately. “Do you need to go out?”

Claire leaned against the doorframe and watched Ike wander around the dunes and take care of business. When he came back to the kitchen he went straight to his water bowl and lapped noisily. Ike moved away from the bowl and Claire watched as the water splashed against the sides.

“Water… Tides… Ike, you’re a genius!” Claire exclaimed, reaching down and scratching his ears. “Where the heck is the newspaper?” she wondered, as she roamed the first floor. “Trash. It must be in the trash.”

Returning to the kitchen she pulled the waste can out from under the sink and started searching through wet paper towels, food wrappers, and garbage. At the very bottom she found the paper. Scanning each page, she finally found what she was looking for. “Here it is, Ike. The tide tables!” Tearing the page from the newspaper she threw the rest back into the waste can. Claire smoothed out the crinkled paper and then folded it neatly with her list of dates.

“You’re a good boy, Ike. Are you ready for bed?” Repacking the backpack, she carried it up the steps and slid it under her bed.

Chapter Eleven

Sunday

The four, bathrobe-clad women sipped coffee and watched the waves break on the beach behind Windward Cottage.

Jill lowered her coffee mug to her lap. “I think this is what a vacation is supposed to be like.”

Caroline wearily looked at her friend. “You mean we’re not supposed to be staying in a strange house that lights its own fires and running around like mad women risking our lives?”

“Okay, so we don’t have all the answers yet,” Claire responded, guiltily. “But you have to admit we haven’t been bored. If anything was going to happen in the house it would have done so by now. I think it’s protecting us.”

Diane added her two cents. “Oh no, not bored. That’s for sure, but don’t expect to be allowed to pick the next vacation destination.”

Claire smiled. “It won’t be my turn for three years which gives me time to think of someplace interesting.”

“Lord help us!” Jill exclaimed. “I may not be available for that vacation.”

Ike, who had been sitting quietly next to Claire suddenly bolted off the porch and raced down the beach. Claire whistled and called “Ike. Come.” The dog ignored her. “Oh geez, I better get dressed and go after him.”

“If anything happens to that dog, you’re in big trouble,” Jill yelled, behind her. “That would ruin my relationship with Drew!”

“I better go too,” Jill said, to Caroline and Diane as she hurried into the house.

“I refuse to move from this spot,” Diane said.

“Me too,” Caroline said, taking another sip of coffee.

Before Claire and Jill returned to the porch, Ike was running back toward the house with Drew behind him.

“Oh terrific, here comes Ralph Lauren and we’re not dressed,” Diane said, through a smile of welcome.

“Good morning ladies,” Drew said, from the bottom of the steps.

“Morning Drew. Can I get you a cup of coffee,” Caroline volunteered.

“Thanks. I’d love one. Black please.”

Diane looked uncomfortable. “Well, Drew, I’m afraid you’ve caught us at our worst. We slept in this morning and are a little slow moving.”

“Please, don’t worry about me. I have a sister, an ex-wife, and a daughter; I understand perfectly.”

Caroline returned to the porch and handed Drew a hot mug.

“How was your trip to Boston?” Diane asked.

“Longer than I would have liked. I’m glad to be back.” Patting Ike on the head he added, “Ike looks great. Thank you for taking care of him.”

“It’s been our pleasure,” Caroline said, with a smile. “He’s been no trouble at all and we really appreciated having him around at night.”

“Still having problems?” Drew asked, knitting his brows and taking a sip of coffee.

“No trouble really. We just got used to having him around.” Diane said, thinking it was best not to divulge what they had been up to.

Claire and Jill came through the kitchen door letting it bang behind them.

“Well, that explains Ike’s hasty exodus,” Claire said, with relief. “Did you whistle or something?” she added, looking at Drew.

“No. He must have heard my car,” Drew replied. Then, looking at Jill he smiled widely. “How are you?”

Jill blushed from head to toe. “I’m great and glad to see you.”

“Walk on the beach? I’ve missed our morning strolls.”

Jill was down the steps and pulling Drew toward the beach before he could put his mug down. “I’ll see you all later,” she called, taking his mug, dumping the coffee in the sand, and pitching the mug to Claire.

Catching the mug, Claire said to Jill and Caroline, “Hmmm… I was rather hoping this might be over.”

“Why do you say that?” Caroline asked, looking up at Claire.

“I can’t explain it. I think I like Drew, but there’s something nagging at me.”

“Claire, just don’t do anything that would hurt Jill. She’s a big girl and can take care of herself,” Diane offered, always the voice of reason.

“I sure hope so,” Claire said, thoughtfully sitting down in a rocker. “Are you two going to get dressed today?”

“If you hadn’t thought you were going to have to chase Ike you wouldn’t be dressed either,” Caroline grinned.

“Touché,” Claire laughed.

Diane stood and stretched. “I, for one, am going up and take a shower. It looks like a beautiful day.”

“Put on something nice,” Claire said.

Diane leaned against the porch railing. “What does that mean?”

“I think it would be nice if we went to Sunday brunch at the Marina Restaurant, don’t you?”

Caroline shook her head. “She’s up to something again, Diane.”

Diane let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m afraid to ask but someone has to. Why are we going there Claire?”

“Go take your shower. I’ll explain when Jill gets back.” Turning to Caroline she continued, “You need to wear your contacts and something sexy.”

“You want me to regress? Why?”

“Because, you have a special assignment today.”

Claire rocked slowly waiting for Diane and Caroline to change.

***

When Jill returned from her walk, her friends were dressed and waiting on the porch for her. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“We’re going to brunch,” Caroline said, slowly and with a glance at Claire added, “and who knows what else.”

“Caroline,” Claire said. “You’re going to need your painting gear.”

Caroline looked curiously at Claire and went into the house to collect her things.

“You’re up to something, aren’t you?” Jill looked skeptically at Claire.

“Afraid so. Get dressed and I’ll explain in the car.”

“The suspense is killing me,” Diane said, sliding behind the steering wheel.

Jill couldn’t resist. “You’re enjoying this too, aren’t you, Diane?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so.”

Claire turned to Jill. “Who in your company is an expert on security cameras?”

“I knew it. You’re going after the security tapes at the marina, aren’t you?”

“Not me… you!”

Jill whipped her head toward Claire. “Are you out of your mind? Don’t answer that, we already know you are.”

Caroline looked thoughtful. “Claire, you said yesterday was the end of it.”

Claire let out a long, deep sigh. “What if one of those little girls was yours and someone could find out what happened to her? If the authorities were going to do anything it certainly would have been done by now. I believe we were brought here for a reason and this is it. We have to do everything we can to prevent any more children from disappearing, and God knows what else.”

Caroline and Jill looked at Diane. “Diane?”

“I agree with Claire,” Diane said, thinking of her own daughter, and not taking her eyes off the road.

Jill and Caroline looked at each other and then at Claire. “Okay. What do we need to do?”

“Is there a security camera expert at your company Jill?”

“Yes. Joe.”

“Can you give him a call and see how we can get the tapes or disks or whatever it is we need?”

“It’s Sunday for crying out loud. I hate to bother him… oh darn, I’ll try.”

The other three women listened to Jill’s side of the phone conversation. “Yes. Okay. I’ll call you back.” Ending the call she explained, “Joe said that if we can get a look at the brand and model number of the system he can tell us what to do. Would you like to tell me exactly how we’re going to do that Claire?”

“Certainly,” Claire replied, with a sly grin. “Caroline is going to get the marina manager out of his office by saying she needs his permission to paint and where he wants her to do it. Caroline, you’re going to have to use all those social graces you have acquired over the years to get him out of the building and keep him there as long as possible. Diane, Jill, and I will get a table and create a diversion in the restaurant. It will be busy because it’s a beautiful weekend. No one will notice when Jill slips away.”

“Why me?” Jill questioned, with a worried look.

“Because you know electronics better than we do. I noticed last night that the manager’s office is down the same hallway as the restrooms. No one will suspect a thing when you head for the ladies room and slip into his office.”

Diane pulled into the parking lot and turned off the ignition.

Claire touched Caroline’s leg. “You go first. We’ll give you five minutes and then we’ll come in. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately in your case, you are going to have to stay after we leave and continue painting so that no one connects you with us. We’ll come back for you later.”             

“Okay. I think I can do this. If I learned anything from my despicable dad, it’s how to lie.” Caroline got out of the car and retrieved her things from the trunk of the car. The others watched as she entered the restaurant.

Diane counted down the minutes. “Okay. Let’s go.”

The three women were greeted by the hostess and seated at a table in the middle of the dining room. A server took their orders for drinks and explained that it was a buffet and they should help themselves when they were ready.

“Fill your plates as high as you can,” Claire whispered, across the table to Diane and Jill.             

“You’re really making me nervous,” Jill replied.

“You can do it, Jill. Don’t worry, Diane has Ed to defend us.”

“Oh, that’s swell,” Diane said. “Just when I realize I love the guy, he’s going to have to get me out of jail.”

“Let’s get our food. Time’s wasting.”

The three women piled their plates with more food than they could possibly eat. Returning to their table, they found the three, large glasses of iced tea they had ordered. They were no sooner seated when Claire announced louder than necessary that she was going to the ladies room. As she got up from the table she took hold of her handbag and the tablecloth at the same time. Sliding off her chair and moving away from the table she quickly jerked the tablecloth along with her handbag. Food and iced tea flew everywhere. There was instant chaos. Claire nodded to Jill, who made a scene about the iced tea that had spilled down her blouse and headed for the ladies’ room. Every server in the restaurant rushed to the table to start cleaning up the mess. Food hit several other people and Claire diligently went to work apologizing and drawing as much attention to herself as possible. Diane pretended to help the servers clean up while she kept an eye on the entrance in case the manager appeared unexpectedly.

Every eye in the dining room was on the mess in the center of the room and no one noticed Jill disappear down the hallway and into the manager’s office. Locating the camera recording equipment setting on a credenza behind the manager’s desk, she pulled her cell phone from her handbag and punched in Joe’s number. Joe was waiting for her call and picked up immediately. Jill read off the name of the recorder and model number. “Yes. You’re sure? Okay. Bye.”

Disks, the system used disks not tape. She began opening the doors and drawers of the credenza. There they were, disk cases with the years clearly printed on the spines. “Holy heck! There have to be thirty or forty disks for the last three years. How will I ever get through all these?” Looking out the office window that overlooked the docks, she saw Caroline talking to the manager. “Keep him talking Caroline!”

Jill took a deep breath to steady her nerves. ‘I need a system.’ Pulling the first disk out she opened the case popped the disk and dropped it into her handbag and returned the empty case back to the drawer.

Open. Pop. Drop. Return.

Open. Pop. Drop. Return.

She fell into a rhythm glancing out the window every two or three disks. She was doing fine until she dropped a disk. When she bent over to look for the disk she hit her shoulder on the corner of the drawer and tore her blouse. “Ouch! Damn it!” She slammed the drawer closed and got down on her hands and knees to search for the disk. It was too dark under the credenza to see the disk so she reached back with her hand and felt around. Nothing.
It must have rolled somewhere else
, she thought looking around the floor. Jill was crawling toward the manager’s desk when she heard the office door knob turn. She quickly crawled under the desk and held her breath. The door opened and someone approached the desk. There was nothing she could do but pray whoever it was wasn’t planning on sitting at the desk or they would see her. Perspiration was soaking her blouse and her legs were cramping. Lowering her eyes to the space under the front of the desk she saw just the tip of a women’s shoe one inch from the runaway disk.
Please leave
, thought Jill wanting to scream because her back ached from her crunched position. It felt like hours until she heard something being placed on the desk and the shoe moved out from under it. Footsteps receded toward the door and then it closed. Jill waited a few seconds and then backed out from under the desk anxious to stretch her body back to its normal shape. Wiping the sweat from her face, she tried to stand only to hit her head on the edge of the desk. “Oh, for God’s sake, what next?” she mumbled, rubbing her head. She glanced out the window again, the manager was still with Caroline. In earnest she went back to work opening, popping, and dropping. Ten more disks and she was completely soaked in perspiration and as tightly stretched as a rubber band ready to break.